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Seasonal changes of Rubisco content and activity in Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies affected by elevated CO2 concentration

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Abstract

We studied Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) content and activity in juvenile tree species — broadleaved Fagus sylvatica L. and coniferous Picea abies (L.) Karsten exposed for three growing seasons to ambient (A = 385 μmol mol−1) and elevated (E = 700 μmol mol−1) CO2 concentrations. Rubisco content was determined by the SDS-PAGE method, Rubisco activity was assayed spectrophotometrically. The highest content of Rubisco enzyme in F. sylvatica was measured immediately after full leaf development followed by a gradual decrease throughout the growing season. By contrast, Rubisco content in P. abies increased markedly during the growing season. In both tree species, down-regulation of Rubisco content in trees cultivated under elevated CO2 concentration was observed. Rubisco activity was stimulated in F. sylvatica by E treatment but not in P. abies. Because no significant differences were found in Rubisco activation state between A and E, we assume that stimulation of Rubisco activity in E is not a consequence of higher carbamylation but could be caused by the release of inhibitors from active sites of Rubisco under elevated CO2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 118, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Miroslav Hrstka & Libor Babák

  2. Global Change Research Centrum, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Otmar Urban

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  1. Miroslav Hrstka
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  2. Otmar Urban
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Correspondence to Miroslav Hrstka.

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Hrstka, M., Urban, O. & Babák, L. Seasonal changes of Rubisco content and activity in Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies affected by elevated CO2 concentration. Chem. Pap. 66, 836–841 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-012-0188-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-012-0188-5

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